Page 19 of Doesn't Count

I nod, “You need to earn our trust. You can ask your questions tonight and we’ll answer.”

“But I need my computer to take notes.” She argues.

“No, no notes. Just conversation.” I offer.

She bites her pink lip, causing something to stir inside of me. I like that she’s uncomfortable. I like that she’s just as pissed off as I am. I like that she hates me because God, do I hate her.

She plops on the couch that sits opposite of the table, trying her best to keep herself covered.

“Can I at least borrow a shirt?” She asks.

“No.” I clip.

My answer doesn’t keep Than from shrugging off his cloak as if he’s going to be her savior. I pin him with a murderous glare, but he starts to scoot out from the booth anyway. Than has never been one to entertain my mood swings.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demand through clenched teeth.

“Dude, for real?” He looks at me like I’m deranged.

I stand in front of him, blocking him from Ash. We battle silently with looks aimed to kill until one of us finally gives in. For some reason, I didn’t think it would be me.

Before I can think any further on it, I shrug my own cloak off, handing it to Ash without even looking at her. I don’t need her to think it means anything other than human decency.

Slowly, she takes it from my hands and slides it on, tugging the front tightly closed before she lets the towel drop to the floor. My heart pounds beneath my sternum and I can only chalk it up to be from the anger at losing this battle. Definitely not from the mere thought of Ash’s naked body just beneath my cloak.

“Just ask your questions.” I bite out.

She blinks at me with slight confusion, her lips parting on unspoken words, then shaking her head as if ridding her of her thoughts.

Good because I didn’t want to hear them.

She sits back down on the leather couch, putting much needed space between me and her, taking a minute to consider what she wants to ask.

“What’s with the stage names?”

“Not a fan of Greek Mythology?” I raise a brow.

She shrugs, “Never got into it, but from what I looked up, Hypnos is the God of Sleep, Thanatos is the God of Death, Kokytos is the God of the Underworld River of Tears, and Khaos is... the creator of the universe?”

I watch her scrunch her nose in distaste and mockery. I can see what she thinks of our band already just by the look in her eyes.

“Khaos was the first entity to exist after the creation ofthe universe. The God is known to be the guardian of the abyss before time came to be. The bridge between heaven and hell. The absolute beginning.”

She scoffs, “You guys all think so highly of yourselves, but it’s funny... None of you seem to be even remotely as powerful as your names.”

“It’s more fitting than you care to imagine.” My eyes narrow.

“They’re just stage names, Ash. We don’t think of ourselves as Gods because we adopted the names, we don’t claim to be anything other than men. I think what Khaos is trying to say is that he started the band, hence the creator.” Than jumps in.

“Just men indeed.” She mutters, crossing her legs and leaning forward. “Rumor has it, you guys worship the devil. Fact or fiction?”

“Gods don’t worship, they are worshiped.” I smirk.

She snorts, rolling her eyes, sticking a finger down her throat and pretends to gag. “Can I get some wine with that cheese?”

I fight the chuckle that wants to let loose.

“Then what was all that earlier?” She finally asks.

---